"Everyone, it seems we'll have to bid with all our might for this final item."
As Li Xuan spoke, Zhou Qingzi and the others exchanged surprised glances. Even Elder Geng Tian, standing beside them, looked at Li Xuan with a puzzled expression.
"Sect Master Li Xuan, could it be that you've received some news?" Wang Jianye asked after a moment.
Li Xuan nodded with a grave expression, took a deep breath, and then said, "Just now, Lord Bai Zun sent me a message through divine soul induction. The final item at this Six Regions Auction is a Venerable Token from Grand Venerable Lin Yi."
"A Venerable Token?!" Everyone was shocked, their faces instantly turning solemn.
Venerable Token was the respectful term for all tokens belonging to a Grand Venerable.
Like ordinary people's personal tokens or jade pendants, these Venerable Tokens were intimate objects. However, at the Grand Venerable's level of cultivation, these items were no longer ordinary. Some were nurtured with their own essence, their power no less than a strike from a Chaos Supreme Treasure.
More importantly, experts at the Divine Soul Enlightenment level and above could use a Grand Venerable's Venerable Token for comprehension and cultivation. Furthermore, these Venerable Tokens possessed spirits, capable of sensing and showing the situation of those close to them with the Grand Venerable.
To put it plainly, as long as Heavenly Yi Domain obtained this Venerable Token, they would know Grand Venerable Lin Yi's circumstances. Whether good or bad, it would alleviate much pressure on Heavenly Yi Domain.
What made Bai Suxin and the other Venerables anxious was that Grand Venerable Lin Yi might have left information on the Venerable Token. Even if not, it was still Grand Venerable Lin Yi's possession and absolutely could not fall into the hands of others.
"Indeed, Lord Bai Zun spared no expense, consuming ten years of cultivation's spiritual power for this divine soul conversation. The news must be true."
Li Xuan nodded and continued, "Furthermore, Supreme Master Zhang Chao is already on his way. We just need to place our bids."
"Supreme Master Zhang Chao is personally coming!" Zhou Qingzi was surprised to hear this, but upon considering the preciousness of the Venerable Token, he understood.
"Since Heavenly Yi Domain received the news, I fear the other domains have also learned of it. If we wish to successfully bid for it, it will be very difficult," Ma Tianyu said after a moment of thought.
Li Xuan nodded, "For now, we can only follow Lord Bai Zun's instructions and bid at all costs."
"Distinguished guests, after three hours of bidding, I'm sure you are all eager to know what this final highlight is. I shall no longer keep you in suspense. This final highlight..."
"Is a Grand Venerable's Venerable Token!"
As Jiang Wan'er finished speaking, Li Xuan and the others exchanged glances.
Indeed!
The news was true.
Although Jiang Wan'er did not specify whose Grand Venerable Token it was, she confirmed its existence.
If not for Lord Bai Zun Bai Suxin communicating with Li Xuan through their divine souls, Li Xuan and the others would likely not have known.
As for why Jiang Wan'er didn't directly mention it was Grand Venerable Lin Yi's Venerable Token, it was to avoid some trouble. The various forces attending the auction would naturally understand and not inquire.
The origin of treasures has always been a matter of discretion.
"This Grand Venerable's Venerable Token has been appraised by our institution and is considered a priceless, unranked spiritual treasure. The starting bid is two billion Taiyuan Crystals. Each increment must not be less than ten million Taiyuan Crystals."
"One more point I must remind everyone: Venerable Tokens possess a unique affinity for Spiritual Masters. If one is not compatible with its sensing, they naturally cannot benefit from it. Therefore, when bidding, please assess your capabilities. Those interested may now place their bids."
After Jiang Wan'er finished speaking, she bowed and withdrew.
Li Xuan's pupils contracted slightly. Grand Venerable Venerable Tokens were divided into five levels based on the duration of service to the Grand Venerable and the extent of the Grand Venerable's investment in them.
These five levels were: Plaything, Personal, Collectible, Priceless, and Legacy. Venerable Tokens at the Collectible level were already powerful enough to rival Chaos Supreme Treasures. xxs
And Priceless ones possessed the strength of unranked spiritual treasures.
This Venerable Token of Grand Venerable Lin Yi was surprisingly of the Priceless level.
Li Xuan's expression grew more solemn. The higher the level, the more astronomical the price of acquisition would be.
"Two billion five hundred million Taiyuan Crystals!"
"Two billion six hundred million Taiyuan Crystals!"
"..."
"Three billion five hundred million Taiyuan Crystals!"
With the appearance of the Grand Venerable's Venerable Token, the bidding surpassed three billion Taiyuan Crystals in less than a minute. Zhou Qingzi and the others turned their gazes to Li Xuan, as he was the leader of their delegation and the one who had communicated with Lord Bai Zun Bai Suxin via divine soul.
"Currently, various forces are making their moves, but the hidden power with extraordinary origins has yet to appear. This price is likely far from the threshold for a Grand Venerable's Venerable Token."
"According to Lord Bai Zun, it will take Supreme Master Zhang Chao another quarter of an hour to arrive at full speed. For now, we should continue to wait," Li Xuan said after a moment of contemplation.
"A quarter of an hour is very short, but this auction is unlikely to last that long. Sect Master Li Xuan, if Supreme Master Zhang Chao does not arrive in time, our combined Taiyuan Crystals might not even exceed ten billion," Ma Tianyu said with a slight frown.
"Supreme Master Zhang Chao had already departed when Lord Bai Zun and I communicated via divine soul. Calculating from now, about ten minutes should have passed. In five minutes, this Grand Venerable's Venerable Token should not be successfully auctioned off,"
"For now, we just need to observe the situation and bid accordingly, at least ensuring that this Grand Venerable's Venerable Token is not acquired by others before Supreme Master Zhang Chao arrives," Li Xuan replied, shaking his head.
"That is excellent." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Five minutes was enough time for them to stall.
"Five billion five hundred seventy million Taiyuan Crystals!"
"Five billion five hundred eighty million Taiyuan Crystals!"
"..."
"Seven billion five hundred fifty million Taiyuan Crystals!"
Another minute passed, and the price of the Grand Venerable's Venerable Token had already exceeded seven and a half billion Taiyuan Crystals. This price had caused half of the bidding forces to cease.
"Seven billion five hundred sixty million Taiyuan Crystals!"
"..."
"Ten billion Taiyuan Crystals!"
In the second minute, the Grand Venerable's Venerable Token bidding reached ten billion Taiyuan Crystals.
Li Xuan and the others also stood up. Although the price of ten billion Taiyuan Crystals had reduced the remaining half of the bidding forces by half again, it was likely only the beginning.
After all, the hidden power that stood shoulder to shoulder with the forces behind the Six Regions Auction had yet to make a move.
"Thirty billion Taiyuan Crystals!"
As a resonant voice boomed, Li Xuan and the others exchanged glances. Li Xuan's expression was extremely solemn. He had a strong premonition that this was definitely the hidden power making its move.
"Supreme Master Zhang Chao, you must hurry."